In Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district, a new wave of QR code fraud has emerged, causing significant financial losses for local shopkeepers. Fraudsters have devised a method to divert payments by swapping QR codes pasted at shops with their own overnight. This act has left businesses reeling as payments meant for them were redirected to the fraudsters’ accounts. The scam, captured on CCTV, has prompted police investigations.
Caught on CCTV: Fraud in the Night
In Chhatarpur’s Khajuraho region, shopkeepers discovered that their QR codes had been replaced. At least half a dozen establishments, including petrol pumps and medical stores, fell victim to this scam. In some instances, the fake QR codes were carefully pasted over the originals, making detection difficult.
Omvati Gupta, a medical store owner, narrowly avoided major losses when a vigilant customer noticed that the QR code displayed the name “Chhotu Tiwari” instead of her store name. Reviewing her CCTV footage, Gupta found three masked men replacing the QR codes late at night. Her swift action prevented further fraud and served as a warning to other shopkeepers.
Businesses Hit Hard By QR Code Fraud
Other businesses in the area were not as fortunate. A petrol pump employee discovered a similar fraudulent QR code after customers reported payments not reflecting in the business account. Another shopkeeper, Nitesh Gupta, reported losing amounts ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 985 before detecting the scam.
The fraud extended to popular local establishments, including a biryani shop and a paan shop. Each of these businesses faced financial losses and inconvenience due to the fraudulent activity.
Police Investigations Underway
Khajuraho Police Station In-Charge Atul Dixit confirmed that the matter is under investigation. However, as of now, no formal complaints have been lodged by the affected shopkeepers. “We are confident the culprits will be apprehended soon,” Dixit assured.
Authorities Issue Precautions For Businesses
Authorities are urging businesses to take immediate precautions to prevent such fraud. Shop owners are advised to regularly inspect their QR codes, check transaction records daily, and report any suspicious activity promptly. This simple yet effective measure could save businesses from falling victim to such scams.
The Madhya Pradesh QR code fraud has emerged as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in digital payment systems. As authorities work to apprehend the culprits, vigilance remains the key to ensuring such incidents do not recur.